The Big Gay Pride Party

Twin Cities Pride Weekend starts off big, as The Big Gay Pride Party returns for its third and biggest installment. In what quickly has become a favorite annual tradition, Epic Event Center in Downtown Minneapolis will welcome thousands of party-goers on opening night of Pride Weekend.

Event Co-organizer Scott Feldman says, “We started doing this because it was clear that there’s a segment of the local GLBT population that wants a big, crazy, over-the-top club experience once in a while. We do it because we have fun doing it, and our crowd tells us that they love it. It’s really the only party of its kind all weekend—or all year, for that matter.”

Co-organizer Dave Em explains that this year’s Wonderland theme is very open to individual interpretation. Attendees can come up with their own idea of what it means, and dress the part.

Em remarks, “There’s definitely a crowd that likes a theme, and wants to plan crazy getups to wear to the party. There’s another crowd that prefers to show up in comfortable jeans and a T-shirt to dance the night away, and both of those crowds will love this party. It’s a spectacle.”

LA-based DJ and producer Roland Belmares will set the musical mood for the night. A Twin Cities favorite, he has headlined major events in New York, Brazil, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, and Miami.

Em and Feldman promise other performers as well, but they’re not telling any secrets.

As Feldman puts it, “That’s part of the Wonderland experience. You’ll find a surprise waiting around every corner.”